Mental Health and Psychosocial Counselor

1. BASIC FUNCTIONS:

AUB is seeking a Mental Health and Psychosocial Counselor to support the needs of Scholars of the Mastercard Foundation. The Psychologist will be based at the counseling center coordinating closely with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars program team.
Provides comprehensive professional counseling services to students to maximize their personal and professional effectiveness. Duties include mental health counseling and support, group and individual counseling, behavioral change consultation, series of group presentations and workshops, providing psychological support and training to scholars on various related topics.

N.B. This position is on a contractual basis and supported by the Mastercard Foundation Grant at AUB.

2. DUTIES PERFORMED:

• Provides individual one-on-one counseling and therapy to students on a scheduled basis or through crisis intervention.
• Provides group counseling and psychosocial support to students as needed.
• Constantly monitors and supervises counseled students to ensure their safety. Ensures that they do not harm themselves or others.
• Assists students to manage their emotions through de-escalation strategy.
• Providing students with evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioral techniques (CBT) for tackling anxiety and depression.
• Trains, develops and facilitates group workshops and presentations on relevant topics related to: time and stress management, communication skills, anxiety and depression management, supporting others in need, academic performance, and psychological wellbeing.
• Develops and maintains supplemental print and web-based materials.
• Coordinates with the relevant AUB offices on campus (Student affairs, Counseling center, the Accessible Education Office and the Student Wellness Outreach office) to ensure the best possible holistic support.
• Engages in activities such as student orientation and other regular activities.
• Researches and benchmarks against the latest successful and/or evidence-based counseling and/or interventions to university students.
• Networks and refers scholars to different health agencies and persons depending on the need (UHS, family physician, psychiatrist, emergency room, etc.).
• Documents and keeps student records properly.
• When needed, educates patients’ families about the mental health problems faced by patients and how to help them recover.
• When needed, coordinates with the faculty mentors and academic advisors to ensure the continued success of the students, and to anticipate and address any emerging needs and cases.
• Prepares periodic reports to be submitted to the Mastercard Foundation.
• Performs other related and similar duties as may be needed and/or requested.
•  
• 3. WORK CONTACTS:
• Regular contacts with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program employees, Director of the Counseling Center, and Student Affairs personnel (Accessible Education Office and the Student Wellness Outreach Office). Occasional contacts with deans and assistant deans, professionals (physicians and psychiatrists), university administration and faculty members.
• 4. INDEPENDENCE OF OPERATION:
• Reports to the Associate Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
• Works closely and coordinates with the Director and staff of the Counseling Center.
• Works according to established procedures, clearly set precedents and professional administrative standards. Completed work is subject to subsequent review.

5. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None.

6.   PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Minimal.

7.   WORK CONDITIONS:

Clean and pleasant.

8.   MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• MA in Clinical Psychology.
• Must have an official license to practice the profession.
• At least three years counselling experience. Previous experience with young adults and in an academic setting as counselor or support personnel is an asset.
• Motivated to work and actively engage with university students.
• Understands health holistically: physical, mental, social, spiritual, and academic.
• Pleasant, engaging, empathic, non-judgmental.
• Inter-culturally competent.
• Comfortable and competent to work in groups and collaborate with different people.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Flexible enough to step out of the role of traditional counselor in order, such as to give trainings, and workshops, engage students in social settings, and to engage in outreach activities.
• Very good knowledge of English and of Arabic is required.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Must possess time management skills.